"I defy them—yes, I bid defiance even to a Presidential nominee."
He put his arm around her waist and kissed her.
"You know that he hasn't had time to come."
"Then I give him another chance. I defy that terrible man again. Yes, I defy him twice, thrice, and more times."
She struggled a little, and her cheeks flamed, but she thought how fine, tall, and masterful he was, and how long it was since she had seen him—it had not really been long.
"Sylvia," he said, "this is the next best day."
"The next best day?" wonderingly.
"The next best day to the one on which we shall be married. I think I shall defy your terrible uncle again."
And she blushed redder than ever. As a matter of fact the "terrible uncle," hearing a step in the hall, came to the door of his room and saw this defiance issued to him not only once, but twice. Whereupon he promptly went back into his own room, shut the door, and said to his wife, "Anna, you must not go into the hall for at least ten minutes." He remembered some meetings of his own, and Mrs. Grayson, although she had not looked into the hall, understood perfectly.